Explore Colorado Stories

Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender identity, age, geographic location, sexual orientation or income. Recovery is possible through the support of community, and when loved ones recognize and end the shame and judgment of substance use disorders.

Watch and read Colorado stories about individuals who broke down the barriers to treatment and overcame stigma to find recovery for themselves or loved ones.

Michaela
Michaela, Sterling, CO
There are many pathways to recovery.
Valentina
Valentina, Montrose, CO
The recovery community walks alongside me on this healing journey.
Candice
Candice, Durango, CO
Supportive communities provide the fundamental connections all humans need. A beacon of hope, actively dismantling the barriers of stigma surrounding addiction.
Dr. Lesley Brooks
Dr. Lesley Brooks, Greeley, CO
I want to break down these systemic barriers, creating easily accessible treatment services.
Angela & Andrea
Angela & Andrea, Sterling, CO & Eaton, CO
You can always find professional resources if you don’t have anybody you can reach out to. 
Joanne
Joanne, Woodland Park, CO
We may not solve all the world’s problems, but we might solve just a little of them by helping others.
Janice
Janice, Denver, CO
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t be afraid to offer it. 
Corinthiah
Corinthiah, Aurora, CO
There is so much hope and possibility in recovery.
Hans
Hans, Greeley, CO
If you’re still struggling with substance use, take your time. It’s not going to happen overnight.
Angie
Angie, Colorado Springs, CO
The opposite of addiction is not sobriety; it’s connection.
Kyle
Kyle, Fort Collins, CO
You can do this; you are capable.
Christina
Christina, Pueblo, CO
The skills I learned in CRAFT have made a huge difference in our lives.
Hawa
Hawa, Colorado Springs, CO
I want them to see that the past doesn’t have to control the future.
Chief Rick Brandt
Chief Rick Brandt, Evans, CO
I remind them that they took an oath to protect life. Naloxone does just that.
Dr. Klie
Dr. Klie, Family & Addiction Medicine Physician
When you decide to open your arms to someone with an SUD, you’ve already made the most critical step.
Antoinette
Antoinette, Dacono, CO
One of the most encouraging things for someone struggling with addiction to hear is there are people who care.
Bryan
Bryan, Peer Support Navigator
Meeting people where they are at is critical.
Julie
Julie, Lakewood, CO
My son realized he didn’t have anything to be ashamed of.
Victor
Victor, Peer Recovery Coach Manager
In peer recovery, everyone is a person first.
Kory
Kory, ED Clinical Nurse Manager
You can’t rush someone into treatment when they’re not ready.
Marvina
Marvina, Peer Recovery Coach
I got started as a peer recovery coach because I wanted to be able to help just one person.
Donna
Donna, Behavioral Health Services Director
More lives have been saved with this medication than any other type of treatment for OUD.
Sheriff Fitzsimons
Sheriff Fitzsimons, Summit County, CO
As law enforcement officials, our job is to protect life.
Leon
Leon, Colorado Springs, CO
Having support is important, and you might not realize you have it.
Sarah
Sarah, Denver, CO
When seeking help, you have to be vulnerable.
Chris
Chris, Peyton, CO
Fear is not real. Don’t hinder yourself because you’re scared of being sober.
Alicia
Alicia, Grand Junction, CO
Don’t ever be afraid to reach out. There are so many people available to help, you just have to ask.
Rica
Rica, Denver, CO
What worked for me is not necessarily going to work for the next person, but if you’re willing to try it, then I believe in you.
Lars
Lars, Florissant, CO
We need to end the stigma around addiction; it’s not your fault you’re wired this way.
Keith
Keith, Denver, CO
You need to break free of shame and guilt to experience recovery. And recovery helps you break free of shame and guilt.
Kat
Kat, Denver, CO
I want to help people see they can do the same thing I did. Every little success is a huge reason to celebrate.
Jerrid
Jerrid, Colorado Springs, CO
Only when you are honest with yourself, can true change take its course.
Michael
Michael, Lakewood, CO
People in your life will be advocates for you. They will ask questions and fight for you.
Laynee
Laynee, Colorado Springs, CO
The support of my family and a treatment facility that understood my needs are what got me through.
Anna
Anna, Denver, CO
Eventually, I was treated by a school nurse who could tell I was struggling with opioid addiction, and she didn’t judge me.
Teresa
Teresa, Denver, CO
Now I don’t need anything to get up in the morning, and that’s a good feeling.
Dana
Dana, Denver, CO
I think when people meet me now, they’d never guess some of the things I’ve been through.
Amanda
Amanda, Denver, CO
It wasn’t until I stopped stigmatizing myself that I was able to start my lasting recovery.
Michele
Michele, Erie, CO
Because of the stigma, he couldn’t tell them he was using Suboxone, even though it was keeping him off heroin.
Alma
Alma, Denver, CO
I wish we’d let him know he was not alone in his struggles.
Kaley
Kaley, Colorado Springs, CO
It was the first time they realized that I didn’t choose to be messed up.
Scott
Scott, Steamboat Springs, CO
A lot of it boiled down to none of us understanding what addiction was.
Kaylan
Kaylan, Brighton, CO
I let him know that he had my love and support when he was ready to get treatment.
Nathan
Nathan, Greeley, CO
Opioids helped cover for the PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety that I have.
Rich
Rich, Denver, CO
My mom was able to get me into treatment right away, and her support made all the difference.
Victor
Victor, Denver, CO
I got introduced after being drafted to Vietnam. People picked up a lot of bad habits over there.
Dan
Dan, Grand Junction, CO
By sharing Preston’s story, I can help others realize they’re not alone.
Sara
Sara, In Memoriam
I didn’t think it could happen to me because a doctor had prescribed them.

In Memoriam

Overcoming opioid use disorder is a lifelong journey, and Lift The Label has been fortunate to work with individuals in different stages of their recovery to share their personal stories. The path to recovery can involve recurrence of use and overdose, and these events can also be the reason someone decides to seek help.

However, sometimes the battle with addiction or other circumstances result in the tragic loss of life. We remember Austin Eubanks, Blair Hubbard and Sara Wittner. Their stories and advocacy efforts for people suffering from addiction live on. To honor them, and all those we have lost to addiction, help us lift the stigma—let someone know they’re not alone, and learn how to help them in their struggle with addiction.